• Register your bicycle.  Thieves generally look for bikes that do not have any identification on them.  Display your registration decal on the down or seat tube in a visible location.  Registration will also help authorities identify who to return the bike if it is recovered.
• Try to park your bike in a rack that is visible and has pedestrian traffic nearby.  Thieves steal bikes that are hidden from view so no one can see them taking the bikes.
• Bicycles should always be locked to a rack when parked outside.
• Try to lock both wheels and the frame of the bike to the rack.  If you have a "U-lock" you will need to remove the front wheel in order to lock the frame, back wheel and the front wheel to the rack.  If you have a cable lock, weave the cable through the front and rear wheels, the frame and the rack.  Be sure to keep the cable off the ground and have it pulled tightly around the bike.  This will make the cable more difficult to reach by thieves and their cutting tools.

Photos courtesy of Kryptonite Lock
 
 

 

Copyright© The University of Iowa 2006.  All rights reserved.

Revised: September 19, 2006.